Corset-type garment



July I0, 1945.

A. ROTH CORSET-TYPE GARMENT Filed June 5, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aususr'q 90TH ATTORNEYS.

July 10, 1945.

A. ROTH CORSET-TYPE GARMENT Filed June 5, 1942 2 Shee ts-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Aueus TA Ho TH ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 10, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CORSET-TYPE GARMENT Augusta. Roth, Cleveland, Ohio Application June 5, 1942, Serial No. 445,905

4 Claims.

This invention, as indicated, relates to a garment of the corset type. It includes corsets of the conventional form as well as brassieres and girdles wherein the garment itself and its supporting elements are completely free of metal parts, or wherein the use'of such metal elements is negligible in amount. The invention also includes the provision of a garment of the type stated, free of the customary elastic elements, both in the body portion of the garment and'in the fastening elements thereof. The invention also includes the provision of non-elastic hose supporting straps, which are adapted'to engage firmly an area of the upper margin of the stocking and thereby use the elasticity inherent in the knitted stocking structure itself without causing excessive tension there- The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved supporting garment of. corset, brassire, orgirdle wherein fabric stays are used in place of metal or bone stays, or the like, Without subjecting the garment to folding, creasing or permanent deformation in the course of wear by reason of the absence of supports formedof steel, bone or the like. I 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a supporting garment of corset, brassiere, or girdle type wherein the use ofelastic strips or areas is dispensed with, and in which inelastic members and sliding loop connections are used to supply adequate flexibility to avoid discomfort to the wearer under any conditions of use, and at the same time maintain the symmetrical lines of the figure.

Another objectof the invention is to provide a garment of the type above mentioned wherein the conventional supporting straps for. the garment itself and supporting straps for connection to the hosiery of the wearer are formed of inelastic material having sliding and pivotal action whereby a high degree of conformity to the figure of the wearer under various conditions of the movement of the body is provided for.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a supporting garment of the corset, brassiere, r girdle type wherein the weight of the garment is reduced by dispensing with stays formed of steel, bone or the like, and wherein shaped fabric areas in special relation to fabric stay members, more closely positioned than the conventional stay members referred to, are so formed and distributed as to provide a supporting garment which will maintain its shape throughout the life of the garment and without becoming subject to folding, creasing or other deformation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a supporting garment of the corset, brassire, or

girdle type, which is free of metal stays and elastic members, as well as free of semi-rigid stay members of bone or equivalent material, and which through the provision of specially shaped and recessed portions and ventilation areas and sliding pivoted strap connections and fabric stay members, provides complete support for the figure of the wearer as well as freedom of movement and conformity to various conditions of use.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in thecourSe of the following description. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the' means hereinafter fully described'and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain structures embodying th invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but several of various forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the corset structure embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig.2 is a rear elevation of the structure shown inFigure 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a brassiere type garment embodying the principles of the inven-- tion;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the structure shown in Figure 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view showing a hose sup-porter connected with the upper edge of a stocking; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one of the fabric stiffening members used in the construction of the stays herein referred to. In the corset-type of garment l, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is provideda forward portion 2 of large extent adapted to fit over the forward portion and sides of the body of the wearer and shaped and recessed to conform to the figure over certain areas thereof. The forward portion of the garment is provided at each lateral margin 3 with a series of loops 4, preferably formed of lacing cords.

An extension flap of fabric 5 is positioned at each lateral edge of the body, and is preferably reinforced by means of a fabric stay 6, and, if

required, by a flexible reinforcing strip 1 at right angles to each other, and it preferably has also a marginal binding 8 to provide a degree of permanence of shape with adequate flexibility.

The flaps conform to the shape of the user,

each such extension flap providing means to serve as a shield for a lacing cord I l which is engaged through loops I2 corresponding to the loops 4 heretofore referred to, the loops l2 being positioned at the lateral edge of the rearward portion l3 of the corset. The extension flap 5, it will be noted, underlies the lateral portion of the rearward portion member l3, and this permits free sliding action thereover as the two corset sections are flexed and adjusted to the various movements of the body. The rearward portion of the corset has a full series of loops on its opposite lateral edge, which loops are opposite loops 4 formed on the corresponding margin of the corset section 2 and adapted to receive jlacing positioned above the extension flap 5 at that side of the garment. The rearward portion l3 of' the garment is provided with heavy binding elements l4, I5, at the top and bottom, and on the inside of said garment a series of closely spaced fabric stays it are. provided, such stays preferably being formed, as shown inFigure G, Toff coutil strips l1, [8,,each comprising a conventional heavy cloth strip having withinthe same 'affabric' stiffening member L9, the marginsof theouter fabric being folded upon and stitched into engagement with saidstiifening member, and two such strips having their folded inner portions overlapped upon each other to form a fabric stay when united with the inner surface of the garmentibyfriianiof.a b ura ity of closely spaced lines of ,stitfchingl Inthegarment illustrated, five closely spaceds'taysare pro- I vided over the rearward section ofth'e garment,

the marginal stays overlappijnjg'the cord loops '4 providing means for securing theb'ack tothelforbut such spacing varies asithestays conrormto...

the garment shape at suchpoints. .A'in'ar'g'inal stay 23 is provided, whichoverlies the loops 4 for the lacing "cord heretofore described;

A reinforcing strip 24 is preferably Placed across the side portion of the garment beneath the stays 22 to take the'strain of .the'garment atsuch point, and adjacent the lower portion of 7 the front sectionof the garmentlan' overlapping shaping and strengthening area25 is provided in the garment fabric, such area extending preferably across certain "of the stays -of the "front portion-of the garment.

The garment constructed as ajboveloutlined will have a shape ,to conform tothe jfigu're of the user, and such shape will :be maintained under all conditions of movemento'f the body by reason of the adequate rigidity provided Ib'yl the positioning and the shaping of the severalfmembers. The cord lacing at each iside'of the garment slides readily into position to accommodate anvadjustment of the front and rearward portions ,of the garment to each other, and this sliding .action is facilitated by the extension'fflaps 5 jpjrovidinga sliding surface over which the rearwardportion of the garment mayfreely move. Itisdesira'ble to providexhose supporting elements inthe conventional positions-at theloweredge of .thegarment. ,Heretofore such supporting elements have been formedcfelastic, but in lieu of using elastic 'materialin such supporting-elements it has been found that satisfactory elastic adjustment in a fabric tab 3| is secured by suitable stitching to the lower margin of the garment portion mentioned, such fabric tab carrying an elongated cord loop 32 over which the upper end of the supporting strip 33 is folded and stitched to provide a'slideway 34 having free sliding movement over the elongated cord loop 32. The lower end of the supporting strip 33 is preferably formed with a double terminal portion which, as shown in Figure 5, comprises a short fabric strip 35 carrying a button 36 adjacent its lower end, the strip itself being formed with a buttonhole ,3] to en age over said button after the button has been enveloped by a portion of the upper margin of the hosiery which it is desired to support.

The garment above described is of lighter construction than conventional garments, having metal stays, or like stiffenin members, and relatively heavy areas of elastic, and at the same time is of adequate rigidity to provide a satisfactory support for thebody and to supply a foundation garment over which the outer clothing may .be worn with free accommodation to conform to the figure of the wearer and free of any binding or interfering action.

Another t pe of garment is illustrated in Figures.3 and 4, such garment'being of the brassiretype and embodying features similar to those in the corset-type garment heretofore ,described. It will be noted that the brassiere-type garment has a front portion 41 of narrower widthpthan the ening area 44,prefe rably of -a' tapered outline.

Centrally of the garment a flexible strap-{His provided and two similar straps A6, 41, are provided at each side thereof in-line'with-the'area of fullness, heretofore referred-to. 'The upper margin of the garment has a'binding 4B,,and is preferably constructed with a'deep V -portion 4 9 and the lower portion of the garment 50 immediately beneath the same is preferably j formed of a straight line havingsuitabl binding-with-the side portions of the garmentS l '52, also provided with a suitable binding adjacent thereto cut away on an arc ,of long radius terminating at heavy marginal stays 1,53, 54. The marginal-stay 53, it will be noted, overlaps .the series of marginal loops 55 atone side of the garment, and the stay'fi l, it will be noted, is engaged overthe ends of parallel side straps 56. The side straps 56 areshownas three in ,number, and may diverge from each other slightly toward the front portion'of the garment, asmay be required to conformto the figure of the I wearer. The series of side straps 56 connected with the stay-54 are'connected-at'their.opposite ends with a stay 51.

The stay 51 is at one margin of the rearward unit which has a binding strip 53 at its lower edge, and has a stay 59 corresponding to the stay 51 at its opposite marginal portion. The stays and 59 have connected thereto a narrow fabric area 6!, 62, each terminating in a flexible reinforcing strip 63, 64, serving as a binding element for transverse ventilator strips 65, 66, which are engaged at their opposite ends respectively by flexible strips 61, 68, secured to the margins of the fabric providing the back portion 69 of the garment. The back portion of the garment has a central flexible reinforcing member ll connected with the binding strip 58 and connecting with the lower portion of a V-shaped deep edge 12 provided with a suitable binding. At each side of the rearward'portion of the garment spaced fromthe reinforcing strips 61, B8, stays l3, 14 are provided, such stays having secured to their upper ends tabs l5, 16, holding elongated loops ll, 18, through which terminal portions of the shoulder straps 19 are engaged. Similar tabs and loop units 60 are provided at the top of the stays 46, 41, heretofore described as being incorporated in the structure of the forward portion of the garment. The means of connecting the shoulder straps with the elongated loop may vary, but as shown comprises a button 8| provided adjacent each end of the strap with a buttonhole 82 in suitably spaced relation thereto so that the free end of the strap may engage through a loop and be secured thereover by buttoning the strap end. This provides free flexibility of adjustment inasmuch as the strap may freely slide over the loop at each end of the same.

The stay 59 serves as a means for securing a series of side straps 83 similar to the side strap-s 56 heretofore described, and the free ends of such straps are secured to a narrow width of fabric 84 by means of stay members 85, 86, having suitable binding 81, 88, at the ends thereof. The stay 86 serves to be secure in position a series of loops 89 through which a lacing cord 9| may be engaged, such lacing cord having free sliding engagement for the free adjustment of the garment to the requirements of the position of the body of the user. The brassiere-type garment is provided with hose supporting elements similar to those illustrated in Figure 5 having securing tabs 92 supporting elongated loops 93 oven which folded loops 94 of th straps '95 have sliding engagement.

The lower ends of the straps are provided with double terminals, one having a button 96 and the other having a buttonhole 91 whereby the garment can be secured to the hosiery of the wearer.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being made as regards the structure herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. An article of the character described having in combination, a supporting garment having a front and rear section, flexible fabric elements connecting such front and rear sections to each other for relative movement thereof through the flexing of such connecting elements, and a plu- Cil rality of fabric stays at each of the marginal portions of said front and rear sections, each fabric stay being formed of folded fabric layers of relatively' stiff fabric structure united by a plurality of closely spaced rows of stitches restraining such fabric stays from excessive edgewise movement and affording free flexibility of such stays transversely at right angles to their width.

2. A corset type structure having a front sec tion and a rear section, a plurality of fabric loops at the margins of each of said sections, lacing cords engaged through said loops to provide for maximum adjustment and flexibility between said sections, a plurality of fabric stays of laminated. stiffened fabric material secured on the inner face of each of said front and rear sections of said garment and variously spaced from each other to conform to the contour of the figure of the wearer when in use, and supporting straps for said front and rear sections of the garment, each of said straps at each point of connection with the garment being provided with a loop section slidably and pivotally mounted upon a loop .of fabric material connected with the upper margin of each of said respective front and rear sections.

3. An article of the character described having in combination, a garment made as a single structure having an area comprising the front portion of the garment reinforced with vertical stays and having transverse shaping darts, one lateral edge of said front portion having a marginal stay with fabric loops attached thereto, and the front marginal edge of said front portion having a pluralityof side straps providing lateral flexibility and joined to a rearward portion of the garment having lateral members suitably reinforced, each connected with a central member by means of a series of transverse ventilator strips, said back portion having vertical reinforcements in the form of fabric stays, and the free portion of the back having a plurality of side straps secured at their outer end to a-securing member formed by a closely positioned parallel stay carrying lacing loops to receive a lacing cord associated with the lacing loops first mentioned.

4. An article of the character described having in combination, a garment made as a single structure having an area comprising the front portion of the garment reinforced with vertical stays and having transverse shaping darts, one lateral edge of said front portion having a marginal stay with fabric loops attached thereto, and the front marginal edge of said front portion having a plurality of side straps providing lateral flexibilityand joined to a rearward portion of the garment having lateral members suitably reinforced, each connected with a central member by means of a series of transverse ventilator strips, said back portion having vertical reinforcements in the form of fabric stays, the freeportion of the back having a plurality of side strap secured at their outer end to a securing member formed by a closely positioned parallel stay carrying lacing loops to receive alacing cord associated with the lacing loops first mentioned, and short straps connecting the intermediate stays on the respective sides of the front and back portions of said garment.

AUGUSTA ROTH. 

